As Team Penske faces a major roster shakeup ahead of the Indianapolis 500, former Supercars engineer Mason has spoken out on the changes impacting the squad’s strategy just as racing’s high-stakes event arrives. The unexpected overhaul, central to the Team Penske roster shakeup ahead of Indianapolis 500, comes after recent controversy and has put Mason into a pivotal role as the team prepares for this iconic race.
Major Staff Changes Follow Controversy Before Indy 500
Qualifying for the 109th Indianapolis 500 was marred by the attenuator controversy, which led to the removal of three key Team Penske members. Among those let go were Tim Cindric, a critical right-hand man to Josef Newgarden, along with Ron Ruzewski and Kyle Mower, each of whom held important strategic roles for drivers Will Power and Scott McLaughlin. The decision to part ways with these veteran strategists significantly altered the team’s preparation for the event.
Mason, whose career journey began with Stone Brothers Racing and continued through Erebus Motorsport, transitioned from Australian Supercars to NASCAR in the United States before moving to IndyCar. Over three years, Mason’s rapid rise in the American motorsport scene culminated in this defining moment, even though he himself was previously sidelined during the 2024 event due to a push-to-pass rule infraction.
Mason Steps Up to Face the Challenge
Despite these sudden changes, Mason expressed readiness for his expanded responsibilities during the Indianapolis 500. Rather than being overwhelmed, he maintained focus on the task ahead.
“It doesn’t really change our approach,”
Mason told Speedcafe at Indianapolis. —Mason, Team Penske Engineer
According to Mason, starting the race from the back of the grid does not alter the team’s strategic mindset. The crew has demonstrated speed and efficiency, especially in pit stop competitions, and Mason regards their current driver as the strongest on ovals in the series. Over recent days, the team has shown they possess a competitive car for navigating traffic, further reinforcing the belief in their approach.
The aim remains clear: exercise patience, rely on Josef Newgarden’s skill to progress through the field, and capitalize on the team’s proven ability to gain positions during pitstops. Mason acknowledged the personal significance of the moment, sharing that observing and working alongside Tim Cindric provided valuable lessons, especially in decision-making and attention to detail required for the role of a strategist.
“The last two years have been very much a collective approach between him and I talking about what the right thing to do and when. I’m not gonna have him to lean on Sunday, but at the same time, he instilled a lot of the reasoning as to what you do when and you take all that board and you just trust they make the right decision come race day.”
—Mason, Team Penske Engineer
The Weight of Responsibility and Opportunity
Taking the strategic helm at the Indianapolis 500 represents a milestone for Mason, highlighting both the gravity and the potential of the assignment. For his career, managing one of Roger Penske’s cars at motorsport’s most prominent race is an unparalleled opportunity.
“You’ve got one of Roger Penske’s cars at the biggest race in the world, and the responsibility is on you to make the decisions in that race and get the best result possible,”
said Mason. —Mason, Team Penske Engineer
Yet, the circumstances prompting this transition bring mixed emotions. Mason acknowledged the vital contributions of the outgoing team members, stating that the current opportunity was built on their efforts over many years. The loss is deeply felt across Team Penske, as the knowledge and dedication of Cindric, Ruzewski, and Mower were instrumental in building the foundation for the current campaign.
“We’re not here if they’re not there in the shop with us preparing the cars. It’s a great loss that that had to happen, but at the same time, it’s not just the #2 car, it’s the #12 car and the #3 car that collectively have a group now. We’re all excited at the possibility of the opportunity that we have Sunday and beyond Sunday to forge something pretty special.”
—Mason, Team Penske Engineer
Newgarden’s Historic Bid from the Back of the Grid
While Mason adjusts to his new role, Josef Newgarden faces a rare and daunting challenge: the possibility of becoming the first driver in Indianapolis 500 history to win the event three times in a row. Adding to the complexity, Newgarden will attempt to accomplish this feat starting from the furthest point on the grid—a position from which no previous winner has succeeded. The best result from such a disadvantaged start has historically been a win from 28th place.
Despite the long odds, Mason remains optimistic about Team Penske’s prospects.
“It would be a pretty cool way to do it,”
said Mason. —Mason, Team Penske Engineer
Mason explained that, with expectations lower due to the starting position, the team can focus on execution without external pressure. However, he emphasized the unique dangers associated with starting and operating from the back of both the field and pit lane, especially with the high speeds and unpredictable nature of the closing laps.
“If we all execute our job, the plan is to have Joseph in the top three with 20 laps to go and we will put our feet up after that and just watch the TV and be a race fan like everyone else and no one comes up on top.”
—Mason, Team Penske Engineer
Looking Ahead to Indianapolis 500 Race Day
The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 begins Monday, May 26 at 2:45am AEST, broadcast live and exclusively on Stan Sport in Australia. As Team Penske approaches the event after significant upheaval, the focus remains on leveraging both new and established expertise within the organization to overcome considerable challenges. With Mason now responsible for critical strategic decisions and Josef Newgarden set to chase unprecedented accomplishments on the track, fans will witness a team striving not only for victory, but also to build cohesion and confidence for the rest of the IndyCar season.
